Andrea Hong Marra (she/her), often known as Andy, is a trans activist and executive director of the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund (TLDEF). From an early age, she knew who she was as a Korean American and person of color.

Mudang Sung Park (he/him) was born in Seoul, Korea, and immigrated to the Ridgewood/Bushwick area with his family when he was young. Growing up, they were the only Korean family—or East Asian family, for that matter—for blocks around, and although Sung tried his best to reproduce the joys of his Korean childhood from within New York, his new environment slowly changed aspects of his personality.

Vanilla Honey (she/they) is a queer architect and community organizer based in New York. Growing up on Long Island, Honey was never taught Korean by their mother, but they connected with their family and other Koreans through humor and playfulness.

Alexander Chee (he/him) is a bestselling author, essayist, and Professor of English and Creative Writing at Dartmouth College. Born in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, to a white American mother and Korean father, Chee's journey is a tale woven with humor and wit.

Sulkiro Song (she/they) is a queer, asexual, and aromantic pastor based in Virginia. Born in Seoul, Korea, to a family of ministers, their path seemed clear: carry on the family line and become a pastor.

Emmett Yoon (he/him) is a trans rights activist based in Houston, serving as the Executive Director of the Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT). Born in South Korea and adopted by a white family in the Midwest, Emmett often felt out of place and confused as a transracial adoptee.

Ellie Kim (she/her), known as SuperKnova (@superknova), is a genderfluid trans singer and musician based in NYC. Her relationship with music began early when her parents—like many Korean parents—enrolled her in piano lessons as a child.

Queer and trans stories have often gone unheard within the Korean American community. In Legacy Project: Queer Joy, nine LGBTQIA+ Korean Americans across generations share what queer joy means to them and the journeys that shaped it, offering space for connection, understanding, and celebration.

Born in Pyongyang before the Korean War, Chung Soon Ahn’s life has been shaped by displacement, resilience, and reinvention across countries. Looking back, she reflects with gratitude on both the struggles and opportunities that led her to build a new life in America.

Growing up biracial, Anthony Hull grappled with belonging before ultimately embracing being fully Black and fully Korean. Today, he tells the stories he’s always wanted to see through his work in film and production.

Raised by a resilient mother after immigrating to the U.S., Jennifer Lee reflects on grief, growth, and finding her own path. Her journey is guided by self-confidence and the support of those around her.

Like many young Korean Americans, Matthias Chu navigates the pressures of identity, faith, and expectation. Through it all, he prioritizes growth, self-understanding, and his evolving relationship with family.

Adopted at a young age and raised between cultures, Jacky Lee spent years navigating identity and belonging. Later in life, she began reclaiming her Korean roots and embracing her full self with pride.

After immigrating to Baltimore, Grace Lyo rebuilt her life through sheer determination, eventually running multiple businesses on her own. Her story is one of independence, perseverance, and giving back to her community.

Forced into labor during wartime before becoming a physician, Dr. Chun-Kyu Lee dedicated his life to serving others across multiple countries. His journey reflects resilience, discipline, and a deep commitment to care.

Born in South Korea and later adopted by a Black American family, Milton Washington’s life is shaped by both loss and belonging. His story reflects the complex intersections of identity, history, and resilience.

At the center of Jim Lee’s story is family, resilience, and unwavering support through hardship. Together, he and his wife built a life grounded in love, advocacy, and gratitude.

Following a traditional path into finance, Paul Kim eventually found a deeper calling through faith and humanitarian work. His journey reflects purpose, redirection, and service beyond self.

Driven by a commitment to helping others, Jinwoo Chung built a career in counseling before expanding his understanding of family through adoption. His story centers on love, faith, and redefining what family can be.

Born in Hong Kong to a Chinese mother and Korean father, Michael Jhin’s early life was shaped by war stories, migration, and adaptation. He went on to become a pioneering healthcare executive, defining his identity through leadership and impact.